North Florida, first-term Congresswoman Gwen Graham was one of the very few bright lights for Florida Democrats in the 2014 election cycle, winning against one of the most controversial Republicans in Congress, Steve Southerland. Graham was only one of two Democrats to take seats from Republicans in Congress, but her first votes have some of her biggest supporters up in arms.
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Some important Democratic supporters of Graham have been distraught over her early votes; two anti-citizen votes on health care and financial regulation, and one in support of the Keystone pipeline where she joined 28 "oily Democrats". Although Keystone will likely be vetoed by President Obama and his veto sustained in Congress, Graham's instant shift to the right suggests an ambitious politician willing to carve out the same dismal territory once occupied by Blue Dog Democrats: conservative members of Congress -- mostly from the South -- who didn't move the party rightward so much as drain support toward Republicans.
Here is an email widely circulating among distraught Graham supporters:
From Daily Kos on Jan. 9, 2015:
The House Republicans have been having an exciting week. On Wednesday, they voted to roll back Dod-Frank. Yesterday, they voted to weaken the Affordable Care Act. And today, they voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. And, as always, there are a number of Democrats happy to join them. The Keystone vote today was 266 to 153, with one "PRESENT" vote. Justin Amash (MI-03) always votes present because, although he supports the pipeline, he does not believe that Congress should be passing legislation on behalf of a single company.
28 Democrats joined the Republican caucus in passing the bill:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Bob Brady (PA-01)
Cheri Bustos (IL-17)
Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Mike Doyle (PA-14)
Gwen Graham (FL-02)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Dan Lipinski (IL-03)
David Loebsack (IA-02)
Sean Maloney (NY-18)
Patrick Murphy (FL-18)
Rick Nolan (MN-08)
Donald Norcross (NJ-01)
Colin Peterson (MN-07)
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
David Scott (GA-13)
Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Albio Sires (NJ-08)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
So what is Graham up to and who does Graham favor?
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Here is an email widely circulating among distraught Graham supporters:
"I have to tell you that I did a great deal to help Gwen Graham get elected. I am at a loss for words in expressing how disappointing this performance has been.
The worst part of it is that Gwen seemed to sincerely think she was going to be a part of a change in Washington. These actions are exactly the kind of cynical bullshit that makes people hate politics and politicians. They are disgraceful.
To me, the worst vote is the one on the ACA. There is a lot to dislike about the ACA. But the act really could be improved. But by 'improved' I meant work better for people, not the opposite.
This bill simply takes money out of the pockets of our hardest working, economically marginal people and puts it in the pockets of the Walton
family. It is an awful bill with no merit and justification. It is redistribution of wealth from the poor to the rich. Period.
So, these Democrats are voting to 'reform' the ACA by making working poor people pay for their own insurance out of their measly paychecks instead of having their large-scale corporate employers pay, and when these same people are hit with the bill, they will think that the Republican propaganda about how awful the ACA was, was actually true. And then, they will go out and vote for Republicans.
I don¹t know exactly what to do about this, but this is just exactly what is wrong with Washington and its is sad to know the newest members have failed their first integrity test.
Totally sick to my stomach. Four votes in one week‹ against ACA, for Keystone, gutting Dodd Frank, and against Nancy Pelosi. Imagine what she can accomplish in 2 years. My support is over."
From Daily Kos on Jan. 9, 2015:
The House Republicans have been having an exciting week. On Wednesday, they voted to roll back Dod-Frank. Yesterday, they voted to weaken the Affordable Care Act. And today, they voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. And, as always, there are a number of Democrats happy to join them. The Keystone vote today was 266 to 153, with one "PRESENT" vote. Justin Amash (MI-03) always votes present because, although he supports the pipeline, he does not believe that Congress should be passing legislation on behalf of a single company.
28 Democrats joined the Republican caucus in passing the bill:
Brad Ashford (NE-02)
Sanford Bishop (GA-02)
Bob Brady (PA-01)
Cheri Bustos (IL-17)
Jim Clyburn (SC-06)
Jim Cooper (TN-05)
Jim Costa (CA-16)
Henry Cuellar (TX-28)
Mike Doyle (PA-14)
Gwen Graham (FL-02)
Al Green (TX-09)
Gene Green (TX-29)
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Dan Lipinski (IL-03)
David Loebsack (IA-02)
Sean Maloney (NY-18)
Patrick Murphy (FL-18)
Rick Nolan (MN-08)
Donald Norcross (NJ-01)
Colin Peterson (MN-07)
Cedric Richmond (LA-02)
Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
David Scott (GA-13)
Terri Sewell (AL-07)
Albio Sires (NJ-08)
Marc Veasey (TX-33)
Filemon Vela (TX-34)
Tim Walz (MN-01)
So what is Graham up to and who does Graham favor?
13 comments:
Graham forgot to dance with the ones that brought her. I guess she voted how she truly believes. She just didn't let anyone know until after getting elected. Any reason people don't bother to vote.
Running against Rubio while Rubio decides whether or not to run against Jeb.
Patrick Murphy?
What is wrong with democrats? They have the worst candidates. For instance, I knew Charlie Crist's baggage would take him down if there were a TV ad blitz and everyone knew Scott would do one as he did it to Alex Sink who had hardly any baggage.
The message she sends -- knowing full well that Obama has the veto in his pocket -- is to Florida's big money special interests that she can be trusted "to deliver". Not very subtle is it.
The threat of negating the President's veto is a possibility just like Harry Reid did by going with a simple majority Senate vote to enact laws that the minority did not approve of.
Setting the precedent was a horrible mistake by the Democrats.
"The message she sends -- knowing full well that Obama has the veto in his pocket -- is to Florida's big money special interests that she can be trusted "to deliver". Not very subtle is it."
Bingo! I could not agree more. Shameful, really. If you're going to vote like a republican you should run as one.
I too worked to get Gwen elected. Not ready to give up on her yet but I will regularly let her and her staff know when I do not agree with her vote(s). Fl-02 is a diverse district. The Dem votes are in and around Tallahassee. She had to have votes from the "Blue Dog" counties to win. Let's give her a chance. I also know the League of Conservation voters is closely tracking her and that is good.
I'm so done with conservative Democrats. They want us to believe the lie that it's how they can get a Democrat in office. But with votes like that Rep Graham and Rep Murphy are NOT Democrats. They hijacked the name just to get in office.
But over all it proves voting down party lines is not a good choice. I left both parties 10 years ago. I vote who I want to vote for based on issues.
However from Rep Graham's campaign it I too would have been fooled. Too many of us probably thought she's be like Dad. She's the opposite of ex-Sen Graham, totally. Name only.
Hasn't she learned that no matter how much you vote with Republicans they will never support you if you have a D after your name. She is losing her base voters and supporters and gaining nothing. IMO she has her eyes on higher office such as Governor. Therefore I predict she will change parties when convenient
2 things to note: She, or someone under her management is deleting negative comments on her Face Book account. Nothing allowed except praise and the most minor admonishments.
I just called her Panama City office and was polite, stating I contributed and voted for Graham but I was not going to do so in the future and how disappointed I was in her votes. They hung up on me.
"Anti-citizen votes?" LOL! Graham is reflecting the views of the majority of American citizens. She couldn't be more pro-citizen!
There is to be a ceremonial swearing in of Gwen tomorrow in the Tallahassee City Commission Chambers hosted by the Mayor, Andrew Gillam.
I will not be there.
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